It may be "the economy, stupid," but it's really the acknowledgment of life

Comments acknowledging the thriving economy were met with Republican ovations and Democrat denial of statistics supporting the president's claims. Scowls were instant among Democrats when President Trump factually noted that his policies have "reversed the economic situation of the previous administration," which they deemed an insult to Obama. Decades of Democrats promoting themselves as the workers' party left the white-suited squadniks reacting to the president's "blue-collar boom" as if a bomb had been dropped. Each reference to the economic news saw Democrat "resistance" to admitting the administration's success. The cold reception was to be expected. What wasn't anticipated was the visible contempt shown for the president's life-affirming acknowledgments. The Democrat attitude clarified the real difference between this SOTU and President Obama's eight years of addresses. President Trump didn't parade victims of identity politics before Congress. He, instead, honored the value of life, lives redeemed and those well-lived. Individuals who have turned their lives around from serving time to serving their fellow citizens were recognized, such as Alice Johnson and Matthew Charles. Army Veteran Tony Rankins was an example of victory, having climbed out of homelessness and addiction to become a business success; ICE agent Elvin Hernandez, a legal immigrant, and Raúl Ortiz, Deputy Chief of the Border Patrol were acclaimed for their dedication to upholding the law in keeping America secure.

Every generation was represented beginning with 13-year-old Iain Lanphier. Dreaming of a future with America's new Space Force he hopes to follow the high-flying legacy of his great-grandfather Tuskegee Airman Charles McGee. The last living member of the elite division of black combat pilots, the president recently promoted the 100-year-old McGee to the rank of brigadier general. Every child's desire to learn and reach for a goal was applauded by President Trump who awarded an Opportunity Scholarship to fourth-grader Janiyah Davis. She will now have the chance to attend the school of her family's choice where she can fulfill her aspirations to realize her American dream. Heartstring tugs wove through the evening. Families were recognized that had lost loved ones to crimes committed by illegal aliens. The president endorsed legislation that would give angel families closure by making available recourse against perpetrators and accomplice sanctuary cities. President Trump turned the focus toward heroes of the American armed forces who destroyed ISIS leader Al Baghdadi and the Iranian Quds' Qassem Suleimani that had tortured and murdered hundreds, including Humanitarian Kayla Mueller and Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Hake. The special operation that targeted and killed Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi was named in memory of the 26-year-old charity worker who never wavered in her Christian faith despite undergoing 500 days of violent rape and torture as his captive. The courage of Mueller, Hake and others like them would not be forgotten.

A family's prayers were answered when a surprise reunion was arranged with father and husband, Sergeant First Class Townsend Williams who was flown home from his fourth deployment to Afghanistan. The moment of joy was one that all Americans were able to share. Survivors of life's extreme challenges were also recognized by the president. The youngest premature baby to be delivered alive at 21 weeks and six days, Ellie Schneider, now two-years-old, was held in her mother's arms, proving the precious nature of life from conception. Verifying the worth of every life, the president marked how individuals' integrity may impact America on multiple levels. Radio host, Rush Limbaugh, diagnosed with stage-four cancer, was distinguished as a role model of what a life of principle looks like. As the First Lady Melania Trump bestowed Limbaugh with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Trump lauded him for "decades of tireless devotion to our country" and never surrendering in the ongoing war against those who would negate the importance of life. The economic success of his administration's policies segued to what was the true core of the president's address to Congress – the acknowledgment of the value of life from conception, the accomplishments and faith of determined fighters and survivors, and the legacy of virtue. In this State of the Union the president honored America, a nation established to respect and encourage the spirit of independence and the strength of overcomers.